Archive for Sedona Verde Valley Events and Entertainment

May 20, 21st 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

The Jerome Chamber of Commerce is preparing its yearly exploration of the back streets of this historic mining town with the 52nd Annual Home and Building Tour. Save the dates of May 20-21, 2017 for a look at some never before shown gems in the mile-high town.

Visitors may have wondered about the large building on Hill Street on the way up to the Grand Hotel. The owners of the Clubhouse will open their doors for a preview of this amazing structure. Originally a hospital, in 1928 the mining company decided to create a clubhouse for employees and residents of Jerome and Clarkdale. There was a modern library, ballroom, meeting rooms, kitchen, ladies lounge and cloakroom. The building is about to be renovated into beautiful condos and guests will have a tour of the spaces before their transformation. Six more homes are on the tour including a charming small house on The Boardwalk.

Park out at the 300 level and a bus will bring you to town for your tickets. The Tour starts with ticket sales at Spook Hall on Hull Avenue. As last year, adults will pay $20 and $10 for kids. Free for children under 3. There will be lots of steps (not handicapped accessible) so wear comfortable shoes and prepare for an adventure. Three of the venues by the Clubhouse are close enough to walk from one to the next. Then board a van to be driven to a home in The Gulch. Back in the van, you will be driven to the North/Dundee area for a look at 3 more homes, all filled with charm and loving attention to detail.

The tour takes approximately 2-3 hours. Click here for advance tickets sales or call the Jerome Chamber at 928.634.2900.

April 27 – 30, 2017, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, AZ

The Verde Valley is well known birding hot spot. In past years, almost 200 different species have been sighted and recorded, including herons, cardinals, tanagers, warblers, hawks and egrets to name only a few.

The festival celebrates nature with workshops and field trips for all levels of birding experience, where expert guides take visitors to the area’s many excellent birding hot spots. There will also be a Free Family Nature Fair taking place on Saturday, April 29th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm featuring games & activities, and free walks and presentations! The Festival will be taking place this year at the beautiful Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, Arizona, about 20 minutes from Sedona.

The Festival has been attracting hundreds of birders to the Verde River Valley for over 15 years now and due to the popularity of this event we highly recommend that if you are interested in participating in the Birding and Nature Festival, register early, the tours and events fill up quickly!

A Canoe, Kayak and Stand-up Paddle Board Race on the Verde River in Camp Verde, Arizona, March 18th 2017.

The snowfall up the hill in Flagstaff has been good this year and we are anticipating good river levels for this fun and popular event, which draws novice and seasoned paddlers alike.

The Verde River Runoff includes both a 5 and 10-mile race – each with multiple categories for entry. The 10-mile race starts at White Bridge and the 5-mile race starts at the River Access at Clear Creek. Both races end at Beasley Flats. The river has a nice current with Class I-II rapids and winds its way through mostly Forest Service lands. This race is a competitive event as well as a family-friendly celebration of nature and boating during prime season for river running in the Verde Valley. Safety personnel will be stationed along the river. An after party and awards ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Spring Heritage Pecan & Wine Festival, which will be happening concurrently in Camp Verde. Go to VerdeRiverRunoff.org for online registration, event details, and updates.

The Verde River Runoff is organized by the Verde River Valley Nature Organization. VRVNO is a non-profit organization that is raising awareness of our natural resources by providing recreation, education and nature-tourism opportunities supporting the stewardship of the Verde River Valley. This event is made possible through a special use permit from the Prescott National Forest.

The Spring Heritage, Pecan and Wine Festival includes a variety of events and activities at the Pecan & Wine Festival, and Verde Valley Archaeology Fair and Film Festival. Admission to all events is free. Running on the same weekend is the Verde River Runoff Canoe and Kayak Race. Charges will apply for wine tasting and race participants.

The Pecan & Wine Festival, which has been around since 2001, will feature wines from 12 of the Verde Valleys premier wineries. There is a $12 charge for wine tasting that includes six tasting tickets along with a wine glass that is yours to keep. The Verde Valley Archaeology Fair includes lectures and a film festival and an American Indian Art Fair.

For information about the festivals and fairs, click here. For the Verde River Runoff race, click here.

December 2 – December 4, 2016

Indoors, outdoors, nightlife, art and independent film. Sedona always has a great selection of events and entertainment to choose from. Here’s what happening in Sedona and the Verde Valley this weekend.

For our 30th Year of Made In Clarkdale December Show we decided to be a bit different and make some grand changes. This year there will be an all new format showcasing Made In Clarkdale artists. The show opens December 1st (10 AM to 7 PM), the Gala Friday night celebration is is Friday December 2nd from 6 pm to 9 PM.The show will feature over 40 artists displaying their work in their booths, and being there to meet visitors and discuss…

2016 Sedona Restaurant Week is back from December 1-11! This event gives local foodies and visitors the chance to experience a selection of specially priced meals from a wide variety of Sedona’s restaurants. Guests will enjoy three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu including an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Restaurant participants will offer their special menu between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Some restaurants will extend the hours. Four dining categories are available:Dinner Price Tiers:$$$$ Elegant $45$$$ Classic …

New lights, new location but the same great community event will return to Tlaquepaque this December. Enjoy walking through TINSEL TOWN and enjoy viewing community installations throughout the property. Sedona Parks and Recreations and Sedona Chamber of Commerce have partnered with Tlaquepaque to make this festive event bigger and better than ever. Free to the community stop by dusk to 9 p.m. nightly. Check back throughout the season to get additional special event updates: Friday, December 2nd – First…

From Park Chan-wook, the celebrated director of “Oldboy”, “Lady Vengeance” and “Stoker”, comes a ravishing new crime drama. Park presents a gripping and sensual tale of two women — a young Japanese Lady living on a secluded estate, and a Korean woman who is hired to serve as her new handmaiden, but is secretly plotting with a conman to defraud her of a large inheritance.Inspired by the novel Fingersmith by British author Sarah Waters, “The Handmaiden” borrows the most dynamic…

The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Sedona premiere of “Stars in Shorts: No Ordinary Love” showing Dec. 2-5 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. On the heels of the annual Oscar-nominated short films program, ShortsHD presents “Stars in Shorts: No Ordinary Love” — a collection of seven short films about love featuring some of your favorite stars from the big and small screens.In “Picture Paris,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus goes to great lengths to add a touch of ‘je…

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On the first Friday of each month, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm, members of the Sedona Gallery Association offer a unique monthly showcase highlighting artists, special exhibits, and art events. These special art receptions give locals and Sedona visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments while visiting Sedona’s 3 “art destinations”, Hillside Sedona, Tlaquepaque, and Uptown Sedona. This event is free and complimentary tansportation is provided by the Sedona Trolley. For more information, including a map of the tour loop,…

Fa la la… Let Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood make this holiday season your most memorable! Annual holiday shows run November 25th thru December 30th and the halls will be decked and the barn will be filled with award-winning entertainment and festive cheer. Bring the whole family, and there are options for groups of all sizes and private events for up to 280 cowpokes are available. Add Western activities and attractions including shops, Old-Tyme photos, a shooting gallery and saloon, and…

Sedona’s Tree Lighting & Santa Visit kicks off the holiday season. Live entertainment, activities and refreshments will be available from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the plaza on State Route 89A in Uptown with the 20′ holiday tree. Come hear holiday favorites from musical and performing groups and let your youngsters tell Santa all their hopes and dreams.

As breathtaking as an eagle is in flight, a face-to-face encounter with a raptor is an equally astounding event. Our friends from Scottsdale’s Liberty Wildlife share the majesty of a rescued bald eagle and other rescued raptors with visitors at the depot and on the train on select days throughout the year. Everyone has the opportunity for personal interaction.

The magical Nutcracker Ballet is kicking off Sedona’s 2016 holiday season, featuring internationally acclaimed, award-winning dancers from Phoenix Ballet to perform in the leading roles. We are proud that many of the Phoenix ballet dancers have won national and international awards, appeared on national TV shows that include Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, and Little Big Shots to name a few. Once again Madison Penney, Avery Gay, Sophia Lucia, and Amber Skaggs will return to…

Sedona Parks and Recreation is pleased to bring to you for the eighth year running, our Breakfast with Santa event. Being held Saturday December 3, this two hour event combines a warm breakfast and Santa Claus. The breakfast is being held at the Posse Grounds Hub located in Posse Grounds Park. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. for families interested in enjoying breakfast in this festive atmosphere. Breakfast will be served until 9:45 a.m. and the event will end at 10:00 a.m.After breakfast, children can…

SATURDAY, December 3rd, 2016, 3 pm – 8 pm, join us for a fun-filled day in Historic Old Town Cottonwood as we celebrate the 23rd Annual Chocolate Walk! The merriment begins with the 62nd Annual Cottonwood Christmas Parade, set to begin at 11:00 am. After the parade, get a bite to eat or do a little Christmas shopping. We have a wide variety of unique shops, restaurants, tasting rooms and more! Beginning at 3:00 pm, you can collect your bag, map…

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Make a night of it in Jerome!Take a short ride to Jerome on the first Saturday of the month for the First Saturday Art Walk and add in dinner at one of Jerome’s great restaurants, some wine tasting at any of several tasting rooms, and of course some shopping at in the many boutiques and shops in town.There is plenty of free parking available, and the convenient shuttle will whisk you to the 25+ galleries and studios that participate in…

Get your ticket to the hottest show in town … the GREATEST celebration of the BEST in independent film from around the world: February 18-26, 2017. From features to shorts, documentaries to animation and foreign films to student films, you will be treated to a cinephile’s dream … NINE DAYS and more than 160 films!

Already recognized by filmmakers and audiences as one of the top festivals in the nation (and named the “Fest to Impress” by MovieMaker Magazine), the 2017 edition will continue a tradition of honoring those motivated by passion for their art and driven by a love for making timely, moving and important films.

Join filmmakers, celebrities, industry guests and film buffs from all around the world as Sedona takes center stage with its biggest celebration of film yet!

May 2016 in Sedona and the Verde Valley

The Verde Valley FairApril 27 – May 1

Since 1967, the Verde Valley Fair has featured fun for the entire family including children’s activities, commercial vendors, games, crafts, a wide variety of food, rides, professional art show, talent show, petting zoo and more.

13th Annual SVAC Open Studios Art TourApril 29 – May 1

SVAC’s 13th Annual Open Studios Art Tour is an annual celebration of the arts and artists in the greater Verde Valley. This non-profit, artist-run event provides thousands of visitors a unique opportunity to meet the artists and gain a first-hand view of their creative processes. The event is funded entirely by artist participation fees and community support. The weekend event is a free, self-guided tour allowing visitors the opportunity to meet and talk with artists in their daily work spaces. There will be over 40 studios participating, working in a variety of mediums, such as: ceramics, painting, fiber, photography, jewelry, watercolors, and sculpture. The event runs from 10 am to 5 pm daily. For more information, call 928.203.0375.

It’s Eagle Watch Season on the Verde Canyon Railroad

The Eagle Watch trains run all month long. Whether you choose coach or first-class seating, adjacent open-air viewing cars offer the best spotting opportunities. Check the Verde Canyon Railroad website for times and details.

Soaring over their winter habitat along Arizona’s perennial streams and rivers, Bald Eagles inspire all with their majestic appearance and graceful acrobatics. Most of the access points to the Canyon are closed to the public during the breeding season, the exception being Verde Canyon Railroad. The train has rumbled through this ravine for over 100 years and poses no distraction to these avian inhabitants, their many generations accustomed to the iron horse’s daily appearance along the river.

Catch a glimpse of our national symbol in its natural landscape, flying free in the big western sky along red sandstone cliff faces and diving into the cool green river to snatch a fat fish to feed its eaglets. Eagle watchers can snag some treats of their own during the rail trip, enjoying freshly-made hors d’oeuvres washed down with local favorites like our classic prickly pear margarita.

Sedona Art Gallery TourMay 6 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

On the first Friday of each month, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm, members of the Sedona Gallery Association offer a unique monthly showcase highlighting artists, special exhibits, and art events. These special art receptions give locals and Sedona visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments while visiting Sedona’s 3 “art destinations”, Hillside Sedona, Tlaquepaque, and Uptown Sedona. This event is free and complimentary tansportation is provided by the Sedona Trolley. For more information, including a map of the tour loop, visit the Sedona Gallery Association website.

Sixth Annual Great Sedona Chili Cook-offMay 7

The Sixth Annual Great Sedona Chili Cook-Off is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, a part of the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta weekend. New this year is the entry of the Mayors of Sedona, Cottonwood and Clarkdale to the list of competitors. Top chefs from the Sedona, Cottonwood and the surrounding communities, and the three Mayors are busy perfecting their special chili recipes which will be sampled at festive booths in Tlaquepaque’s Calle de Independenceia.

Each year the proceeds collected from the Chili Cook-off are used to fund Rotary charitable programs and activities. The primary local charity benefiting from the proceeds goes to the Imagination Library which provides free books monthly to all children ages 0 to 5 residing in the greater Sedona area.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration at TlaquepaqueMay 7 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Immerse yourself in a colorful Fiesta saluting a rich heritage on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 11:00am to 5:00pm at Tlaquepaque. Enjoy the festivities while cheering and whistling to the music of mariachi musicians, clapping to the steps of Folklorico dancers and savoring traditional Mexican food. Stop in and be a judge at the Great Sedona Chili Cook- Off.

For more information, visit the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village website.

The Jerome First Saturday Art WalkMay 7 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Make a night of it in Jerome!

Take a short ride to Jerome on the first Saturday of the month for the First Saturday Art Walk and add in dinner at one of Jerome’s great restaurants, some wine tasting at any of several tasting rooms, and of course some shopping at in the many boutiques and shops in town.

There is plenty of free parking available, and the convenient shuttle will whisk you to the 25+ galleries and studios that participate in the Art Walk. The festivities are from 5:00 to 8:00PM every first Saturday. For more information call (928) 301-3004.

Join the National Train Day Celebration at Verde Canyon RailroadSaturday May 14

On National Train Day, Verde Canyon Railroad applauds the important history of American railroads with an entertaining and educational event at their Clarkdale depot. Explore our outdoor storyboards and take a tour of the newly renovated John Bell Museum.

Liberty Wildlife will be sharing rescued educational birds with all guests at the depot, as well as on board the train. A delicious BBQ ribs and chicken luncheon will be available for purchase on the patio in addition to many refreshing beverage options.

Eye-catching additions to the Verde Canyon Railroad visitor experience are depot storyboards, overflowing with details on the Verde Canyon encounter, pioneer spirit and railroad lore, installed along the quarter-mile length of the depot’s loading platform. Visitors will gather fascinating facts about the many animals, plants and people that have imprinted the Verde Valley and the Canyon through which the train passes. Specifics on the railroad’s vintage FP7 locomotives and historic rail cars also are shared via storyboards. For more information, visit the railroad’s website or call 800.582.7245.

|Historic “Old Town” Cottonwood is the hot new dining and entertainment district in the Verde Valley. The Second Saturday Art Walk is just another reason to make sure you experience it while you are here in the Verde Valley.

On the second Saturday of each month, the art galleries, wine tasting rooms, and restaurants gear up to give you a good time with art exhibitions, music and entertainment, and great food from 6pm – 9pm in the vibrant new Old Town District of Cottonwood. It’s a good time for all!